In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains the meaning of the Sabbath commandment in the Old Testament, and clarifies that what is meant is not abstaining from every natural movement or from spiritual worship, but rather abstaining from material work directed to earning and livelihood.
Illustration from the Gospels
His Holiness shows how the Lord Christ engaged in debate with the scribes and Pharisees about doing good on the Sabbath — like healing a blind man or raising Lazarus — to demonstrate that solving a problem and saving a person is not considered a violation of the Sabbath.
Critique of literal application
He criticizes zealots who take the commandments literally and show inconsistency in their application; the Pharisees themselves performed religious acts on the Sabbath such as going to the synagogue, reading, and circumcision when necessary.
Issues about works and salvation
His Holiness moves to discuss the relation of works to salvation, explaining Paul’s verses: that the ritual works of the law alone do not save, and vain works devoid of the Spirit are rejected if they are not accompanied by faith and grace.
Distinction between types of works
He distinguishes between: (a) works of the law and rites that do not by themselves save; (b) good deeds separated from faith which do not help; and (c) works that share in God’s grace and the Holy Spirit — such as the holy sacraments — which are necessary for human salvation.
Role of the Spirit and grace
He affirms that the sacrament of baptism, chrismation, repentance and forgiveness are works of the Holy Spirit, and faith itself is a work of the Spirit in the person, therefore one must not reject works that are the fruit of God’s work in us.
Practical and spiritual conclusion
The conclusion is that works are not disparaged or demeaned if they are a participation of grace and the Spirit, and that Christ and the apostles teach us to discern the quality of works: whether they are an empty form or a genuine participation with the love of God and grace.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Biblical Terms – Acts
In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains the meaning of the Sabbath commandment in the Old Testament, and clarifies that what is meant is not abstaining from every natural movement or from spiritual worship, but rather abstaining from material work directed to earning and livelihood.
Illustration from the Gospels
His Holiness shows how the Lord Christ engaged in debate with the scribes and Pharisees about doing good on the Sabbath — like healing a blind man or raising Lazarus — to demonstrate that solving a problem and saving a person is not considered a violation of the Sabbath.
Critique of literal application
He criticizes zealots who take the commandments literally and show inconsistency in their application; the Pharisees themselves performed religious acts on the Sabbath such as going to the synagogue, reading, and circumcision when necessary.
Issues about works and salvation
His Holiness moves to discuss the relation of works to salvation, explaining Paul’s verses: that the ritual works of the law alone do not save, and vain works devoid of the Spirit are rejected if they are not accompanied by faith and grace.
Distinction between types of works
He distinguishes between: (a) works of the law and rites that do not by themselves save; (b) good deeds separated from faith which do not help; and (c) works that share in God’s grace and the Holy Spirit — such as the holy sacraments — which are necessary for human salvation.
Role of the Spirit and grace
He affirms that the sacrament of baptism, chrismation, repentance and forgiveness are works of the Holy Spirit, and faith itself is a work of the Spirit in the person, therefore one must not reject works that are the fruit of God’s work in us.
Practical and spiritual conclusion
The conclusion is that works are not disparaged or demeaned if they are a participation of grace and the Spirit, and that Christ and the apostles teach us to discern the quality of works: whether they are an empty form or a genuine participation with the love of God and grace.
For better translation support, please contact the center.